Green Initiatives

Solid Water Treatment Technology
Green building is the practice of increasing how efficiently buildings use energy, water, and other resources, and reducing their impact on human health and the environment. Also referred to as sustainable building or sustainable design, green building is achieved through better design, construction, operation, and maintenance practices. Property and facility managers who understand the benefits of green building are looking for new ideas and technologies to meet these important objectives.

Water treatment programs are often overlooked in the green building equation for buildings with cooling towers, chillers, boilers, or recirculating loops as part of the HVAC system.

Energy and Water Use in Commercial Buildings
According to the EPA, commercial buildings account for 18% of the total energy consumption in the U.S. An estimated 30% percent of this energy is used inefficiently. Although the HVAC system is the largest single consumer of energy and water in most commercial buildings, it is often not operated or maintained to achieve peak efficiency. Commercial buildings also generate a staggering amount of waste and other by-products that harm the environment. These buildings are at the forefront of green building because they present opportunities for improvement.

The return on investment from green building is closely tied to energy savings and ultimately water treatment. In most commercial buildings, evaporative cooling is used because it is more energy efficient than air cooled systems. In terms of raw energy efficiency, it takes 50% more electricity to operate a 400-ton air cooled chiller than it does a 400-ton water cooled chiller (1.49 kW/ton vs 0.94 kW/ton). However, effective water treatment is required to obtain these efficiencies.

Water treatment is an essential part of preventative maintenance for HVAC systems. Effective programs: protect waterside surfaces from the ravages of corrosion, deposits, and microbiological growth; extend equipment life; keep heat exchange surfaces clean and energy efficient; and maximize how efficiently water is used.
White Paper
Water treatment is required to ensure safe, reliable, and efficient operation of heating and cooling water systems. A properly maintained chemical treatment program is a dependable and widely accepted means of achieving these important goals.

Water Treatment, Energy Efficiency, and Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Maintaining energy efficient systems also reduces the discharge of greenhouse gases and other harmful pollutants. Carbon dioxide (CO2) released from fossil fuel-fired utility plants, boilers, and cars is a major source of greenhouse gas emissions associated with global warming. Water treatment solves problems that reduce how efficiently electricity, natural gas, and oil are used. An effective water treatment program helps conserve these precious natural resources and reduces greenhouse gases.

Table I illustrates the impact of some typical water treatment problems on operating costs (for energy and water) and associated greenhouse gas emissions. For example, a mere 0.005 inch of slime in a 500-ton chiller increases electricity costs by over $12,000/year and pumps over 316,000 lbs/year of CO2 into the atmosphere. This is equivalent to the annual greenhouse gas output of 27.5 cars!

Table I – Impact of Water Treatment Problems on Operating Costs and Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Emissions

System Type

Problem Type

Increased Cost

Increased CO2 Emissions

Equivalent Emissions

500 Ton
Chiller

0.005 inch
Slime Film

$12,262
per year

316,766 lb
per year

27.5 cars
per year

500 HP
Boiler

1/32 inch
Iron Deposit

$22,412
per year

437,327 lb
per year

37.8 cars
per year

Leaking
Hot Loop

1 GPM
Water Loss

$5,563
per year

54,733 lb
per year

4.7 cars
per year

An effective water treatment program helps keep HVAC systems operating at maximum efficiency, reduces energy usage, saves money, conserves resources, and helps protect the environment. Good water treatment is the ultimate green technology.